The Federal Government has issued a directive that officers on grade levels 10 and below are to resume duties every working day (Monday to Friday), effective from Monday, 19th October 2020.
This announcement was made in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and signed by Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
This directive is a follow up to President Buhari’s approval of the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation also disclosed that the officers are to be in the office by 8.00 a.m. and close by 4.00 p.m. daily, with effect from Monday, 19th October 2020.
Backstory
The Federal government, in a bid to curb the spread of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic in the country, issued in a memo via the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation on 24th of March 2020, that all public servants from levels 1 through 12 were to work from home effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
In like manner, in August after the approval of the extension of the second phase of the eased lockdown, the Government disclosed civil servants on grade level 12 and above were to resume work fully by 8.00 a.m. and close by 4 pm daily.
However, in line with the guidelines of NCDC and the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan reiterated that the officers are to ensure full compliance with the directives and advice on the COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures, including maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing and/or sanitizing of hands and wearing of face masks.
She emphasized that Permanent Secretaries/Chief Executive Officers should provide necessary facilities in their respective MDAs, in compliance with the extant guidelines on the preventive measures against the spread of the pandemic. Furthermore, efforts should be made to avoid overcrowding and nobody should be allowed into the offices without wearing a face mask.
